Method and apparatus for determining remaining life of conductor insulation systems through void size and density correlation

ABSTRACT

A method of determining or assessing remaining life in insulation material includes using a computerized analytical model and supporting equipment to assess margin between an electrical insulation sample&#39;s given (i.e., known) void parameters (such as size and density) and void parameters corresponding to the threshold to integrity failure. The margin is then correlated to remaining life through use of known void growth rates, which are a function of temperature and other environmental service factors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/762,536, filed on Dec. 9, 1996, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of conductorinsulation and, more particularly, to a method for determining orpredicting remaining life of conductor insulation systems. This methoduses a computerized analytical model and supportive equipment to assessmargin between an electrical insulation sample's given (i.e., known)void size and density and a void size and density at the threshold tointegrity failure. The margin is then correlated to remaining life.

Voids and gaseous cavities originate in conductor insulation systemsthrough a variety of mechanisms, including normal as well as impropermanufacturing processes, severe or cumulative mechanical andenvironmental stresses, and thermal exposure.

As explained in more detail below, when a conductor insulation system,which is subjected to an electric field of sufficient magnitude,contains voids or cavities of a sufficient size and density, electricaldischarges occur therein. These discharges result in an increase incurrent flow through the insulation between the conductor and ground orbetween two adjacent conductors, and a consequent reduction in theamount of current which is able to be transmitted through theconductor(s).

Further, the presence of voids or cavities of a sufficiently large sizewithin a conductor insulation system (when subjected to an electricfield or potential of sufficient magnitude) facilitates the initiationand growth of "electrical trees," which also detrimentally affect theinsulation system's conductivity and projected life.

An electrical tree consists of a number of tiny hollow channels thatextend and propagate from voids or impurities present in a conductorinsulation system. The hollow channels can contain or allow considerableunstable discharges which, in time, may initiate further tree growthuntil cable failure occurs.

As explained above, when voids are present in a conductor insulationsystem, the insulating walls in effect "erode" in time and causedielectric breakdown. Three processes cause this dielectric breakdown:(1) bombardment of the void's walls by ions and electrons produced whengases within the void become ionized (i.e., corona breakdown); (2) heatgenerated by the corona breakdown process; and (3) chemical reactionswithin the void, due to the formation of ozone.

A number of conductor insulation aging models have attempted tocorrelate various age-related factors, but they have not been entirelysuccessful. However, a number of accepted relationships have beendeduced from these aging models: (1) as applied electric field frequencyincreases, insulation life decreases; (2) as conductor insulationexposure time to moisture increases, insulation life decreases and theapplied voltage necessary to cause insulation breakdown decreases; and(3) as residual stresses (thermal, electrical, mechanical,environmental) in conductor insulation increases, insulation lifedecreases.

Conventionally, manufacturers have been responsible for testingconductor insulation systems, such as cables, for obvious voids (i.e.,manufacturing defects of a magnitude sufficient to allow immediate orpremature cable insulation failure) before shipping the cables from thefactory. The manufacturers' favored production test (i.e., the partialdischarge test) is performed to cable specifications prepared by theAssociation of Edison Illuminating Companies (AEIC). The AEIC has onlypromulgated specifications for medium and high-voltage cable; currently,there are no specifications for low-voltage (i.e., 600 to 2000 Volts)cable, which is the most commonly used cable today.

The partial discharge test measures the discharge magnitude (Q), whichis measured in pico-coulombs. Manufacturers are required to maintain thedischarge magnitude below a specific level (i.e., not greater than 5pico-coulombs) before shipping the cable.

The industry has accepted the partial discharge test because it uses thesimplest measurement that can be made to date, and it can detectinsulation degradation. However, the results of a partial discharge testindicate only whether the insulation is acceptable at that instant intime and does not provide any indication as to how long the insulationwill remain acceptable. Moreover, because of the many cable failuresthat occur due to voids being present in cable, often after installationand over time, it is evident that the partial discharge test and otherexisting testing methods are not able to predict time to failure.

In addition, the integrity of conductor insulation systems can be testedby transmitting high-frequency signals down the length of a cable (i.e.,from an end that has been de-terminated) and analyzing the reflectedsignal on an oscilloscope. While this testing methodology providesinformation on the condition of downstream electrical conditions, theonly information it provides on the cable itself is whether a short oropen circuit condition exists.

Recently, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has sponsored thedevelopment of a testing methodology that takes advantage of thegenerally-accepted premise that a cable's mechanical properties (e.g.,hardness or elongation retention) degrades before the cable's electricalproperties (e.g., dielectric strength). This testing approach is calledthe Ogden/EPRI Polymer Aging Monitor (Indenter) and is used to monitorcable degradation resulting from heat and radiation. Although generallyeffective, this testing methodology includes the following limitations:(1) the cable jacket is tested for hardness, which is a less direct (butconservative) testing method compared to testing the integrity of theconductor insulation itself; (2) repeated hardness tests (which are amild form of destructive testing) may, in fact, lead to prematurehardness and unnecessarily conservative indications of remaining lifeunless the area being monitored is carefully controlled and tracked toprevent repeated testing; (3) the potential for water treeing in cableswith voltages up to 5 kV is not detected; and (4) because it is based onmechanical properties of cables, instead of electrical properties, thetest results tend to be unnecessarily conservative.

At present, no reliable method exists to detect voids or other defectsin installed conductor insulation systems, and use those results toestimate system condition and predict remaining life. Consequently, theconventional approach to evaluating cable insulation condition is by a"post-mortem" analysis after the cable has failed.

Because the presence of voids can ultimately lead to conductorinsulation system failure, those industries, such as the nuclear powerand aircraft industries, where the integrity of power and controlsystems implemented by conductor insulation systems is critical, havelong desired a method for assessing insulation integrity degradation(primarily related to void size and density), confirming continuedacceptable margin in insulation life, and predicting insulationremaining life, in new and installed (aged) conductor insulationsystems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides one or more methods for predictingremaining life of conductor insulation systems through use of void sizeand density information. Further, the present invention can be used topredict that voids below a certain size and density, when subjected todefined values of electrical and thermal stresses, will not produce orcause insulation failure for a specified length of time.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method ofdetermining or assessing remaining life in conductor insulation materialincludes: using measurable void property information (including voidsize and density parameters) from a sample of electric insulation topredict the remaining life thereof.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method ofpredicting remaining life in conductor insulation material includes:using measurable void property information (including void size anddensity parameters) from a sample of electric insulation; analyzing thevoid parameter information to determine the limiting void parametersamong the samples (where the limiting parameters may be considered thecombination of largest void size and highest void density).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method ofpredicting remaining life of insulation material includes: usingmeasurable void property information (including void size and densityparameters) from at least one sample of electric insulation; comparingthe sample void parameters of at least size and density to determine thelimiting parameters among the measured samples thereof; and deriving amodel for the remaining life of the insulation material as a function ofone or more of at least the size and density of the voids detected inthe at least one sample and the insulation system's design or requiredelectric field potential.

The present invention may be used to determine the degree of aging andthe amount of remaining life of conductor insulation systems based onthe measurement of a insulation material's internal void sizes anddensity, and the use of a computer analytical model which correlatesmargin to void parameters indicative of insulation failure integrity,void size growth rates, service temperatures, and other relatedproperties and environmental service condition requirements (such astemperature). Because the present invention is based on electricalproperties (e.g., partial discharge, excessive leakage currents)directly indicative of a conductor insulation system's functionality, itprovides a more accurate indication of remaining life than do approachesthat rely on a conductor insulation system's mechanical properties, suchas hardness and elongation retention.

The present invention allows owners and operators of, for example, powerplants, aircraft, and manufacturing, chemical production, refining andother facilities, to improve operational reliability of otherwiseuncertain conductor insulation remaining life by performing relativelysimple testing of new or installed cable insulation.

The present invention may also be used to assess conductor insulationremaining life without knowledge of the cable insulation's date ofmanufacture, method of manufacture or past history of environmentalexposure. Further, the testing approach of the present invention appliesto low, medium and high voltage cables.

By periodically inspecting and monitoring installed conductor insulationsystems for the presence of potentially harmful void sizes anddensities, which can promote or support the initiation and growth ofelectrical trees, insulation degradation can be detected, and the systemreplaced or repaired, before the insulation system malfunctions orfails.

These and other features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will be further understood upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of various embodiments of the present invention,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a lateral cross-sectional view of a conventional conductorinsulation system showing voids present in the insulation materialthereof.

FIG. 2 is a table describing various characteristics of the cablesamples tested.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are graphical representations of the results ofUltrasound Test 1.

FIG. 4 is a graphic representation of the results of Ultrasound Test 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a C-SAM operating system and itsattendant components.

FIG. 6 is an acoustic image of Sample 5 at 15 MHz.

FIG. 7 is an acoustic image of Sample 3.

FIG. 8 is a magnified version of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an acoustic image of Sample 8 at 50 MHz.

FIG. 10 is an optical image of Sample 1 at 200×.

FIG. 11 is an optical image of Sample 3 at 500×.

FIG. 12 is an optical image of Sample 8 at 200×.

FIG. 13 is an optical image of Sample 1 at 500×.

FIG. 14 is an optical image of Sample 3 at 200×.

FIG. 15 is an optical image of Sample 3 at 500×.

FIG. 16 is a scanning electron microscopic image of Sample 1 at 1000×.

FIG. 17 is a scanning electron microscopic image of Sample 1 at 3000×.

FIG. 18 is a scanning electron microscopic image of Sample 6 at 12000×.

FIG. 19 is a scanning electron microscopic image of Sample 8 at 1000×.

FIG. 20 is a scanning electron microscopic image of Sample 8 at 2000×.

FIG. 21 is a table showing test results for polyethylene (PE) andethylene propylene rubber (EPR).

FIG. 22 is a schematic representation of a void detection and analysissystem.

FIG. 23 is a schematic representation of a void detection and analysissystem using an acoustic microscope to detect void size and density.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As discussed in greater detail below, the present invention provides amethod for predicting remaining life of conductor insulation systemsthrough use of void size and density information.

The polymer structure of insulation material consists of long,intertwined molecular combinations of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms.When the polymer structure of insulation material absorbs energy (i.e.,through exposure to heat, radiation, electric fields, etc.) in thepresence of oxygen or ozone, radicals and various gaseous reactionproducts, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water vapor and othervolatile gaseous molecules, are produced in the insulation material.Many of these gaseous reaction products create new void sites oraccumulate in nearby voids in the insulation material, therebycontributing to an increase in void size and density in the insulationmaterial. As the voids present in the insulation material increase insize and density, the polymer structure of the insulation materialweakens, and eventually partial discharge and/or voltage breakdownoccurs. Thus, as can be appreciated, void size and density in conductorinsulation material increase as a function of energy absorption and,ultimately, have an adverse affect on the insulation material's agingdegradation rate.

For a given temperature, the gas molecule production rate in insulationmaterial is approximately constant because such production is defined bychemical reaction formulas which are a function of temperature. Usingthe Ideal Gas Law, the rate of increase in the volume occupied by gases(which are assumed to accumulate in voids present in the insulationmaterial) is directly proportional to the gas molecule production rate.

Therefore,

    dV/dt=K, then ƒdV=ƒKdt, and V(t)=V.sub.0 +Kt[Eq. 1]

Where:

V=volume occupied by voids

t=time

K=unknown constant, and

V₀ =volume at t=0.

If the voids are modeled as approximately spherical and the void sizeincrease effect dominates over the density increase effect, as expected,then,

    V=(4/3)¶r.sup.3 n and V.sub.0 +Kt=(4/3)¶r.sup.3 n[Eq. 2]

Where:

n=number of voids, and

r=equivalent radius of each void.

Therefore, the size of the voids will be approximately proportional tothe cubic root of the elapsed time (i.e., insulation life), whichexplains the long life, in general, of electric insulation.

As a first-order approximation, it is expected that the gaseousproduction rate will be linear with temperature, which allows adetermination of void size growth rate at elevated temperatures. Inearly insulation life, it is expected that void density will increaseand then level off as a sufficient number of gas collection sites (i.e.,voids) are created. After a certain point, long before the onset ofinsulation degradation of any concern, the dominant factor in conductorremaining life will be void size growth.

As discussed previously, the voids in conductor insulation materialcontain gases which are relatively easily ionized when subjected to anelectric potential. Such ionization of gases correspondingly reduces theeffective thickness of the insulation material. As the void sizesincrease with age, the equivalent remaining thickness of the insulationreaches the point at which a breakdown (i.e., discharge) occurs. Thelimiting equivalent remaining insulation thickness capable of preventingdischarge can then be determined. By modeling the void growth fromservice condition factors (including post-nuclear accident harshenvironment effects), the remaining life of conductor insulation systemscan be accurately predicted. Furthermore, the present approach can beused to demonstrate that voids below a certain size and density, whensubjected to a defined value of electrical and thermal stresses, willnot produce or cause electrical insulation failure for a specifiedlength of time.

Further, a number of parallels appear to exist between electricalinsulation breakdown and brittle fracture of carbon steel. A void withinan electrical insulation system, when subjected to a certain thresholdof electrical stress for a minimum required amount of time, initiatesgrowth of or promotes rapid propagation of a "tree-shaped" patternwithin the insulation that eventually causes the insulation to fail.Likewise, a flaw or void within a carbon steel pressure vessel, whensubjected to mechanical stresses above a certain threshold level for arequired amount of time, propagates into a crack.

The above theoretical model incorporates the analytical relationshipbetween cable void size, void density, cable properties, such as, forexample, insulation type and thickness, and energy to propagate apartial discharge "crack" (electrical treeing) representative of thebeginning of dielectric failure. Further, the following relationshipsmay be factored into the theoretical model: (1) void size, void density,and void size growth rate as a function of insulation temperature; and(2) void size, void density and void size growth rate as a function ofcable exposure to harsh environments (e.g., elevated temperatures andradiation doses).

To develop the theoretical model, it is necessary to analyze thefollowing characteristics: (1) polymer material property responses toincident energy; and (2) polymer molecule breakdown effects. With regardto characteristic (1) directly above, the material structure ofelectrical insulation is significantly different from that of carbonsteel. The treeing effect of partial discharge must pass through thelong, interlocking polymer molecules of the insulation matrix. Thus, thefollowing factors must be considered in the theoretical model to predictthe amount of energy required to propagate partial discharge inconductor insulation material: the level of energy needed to propagate apartial discharge from one void site to an adjacent void site; theeffect of void size and site-to-site distance on the requiredpropagation energy level; the effect of insulation material type anddensity on the required propagation energy level; and the accumulationof void sites through the entire thickness of the insulation material.

In addition, with respect to characteristic (2) directly above, polymermolecules (because of their large size and complex nature) are subjectto more than one chemical reaction representative of aging degradationand consequent decrease in size. Polymer molecular breakdown (in effect,insulation aging) contributes to void size in at least two ways: (1)additional space is contributed to void collective volume; and (2) thegaseous reaction products may accumulate in existing void sites andcontribute to local pressure effects with the insulation material. Thus,to properly predict the rate of increase of void size as a function oftemperature (i.e., long-term thermal aging), the following factors mustbe considered: the chemical equations most representative of insulationpolymer degradation and their probabilities of occurrence; the energy ofreaction associated with the primary degradation reaction; the effect oftemperature exposure on the reaction rate of the primary degradationreaction; and the effect of the accumulation of primary degradationreaction products on nearby void sizes.

Further with respect to characteristic (2) above, the effects ofshort-term harsh environments (i.e., accelerated aging effects) on voidsize increase in insulation material, as opposed to the long-term agingeffects discussed directly above, must be considered. Thus, to properlypredict the rate of increase of void size with respect to harshenvironment effects due to, among other things, radiation aging, thefollowing factors must be considered: the post-accident harshenvironment exposures considered to be representative of nuclear plantaccident scenarios; the effect of radiation exposure on the primarydegradation reaction rate; the new degradation reaction rates generatedby radiation exposure; the synergistic effect of elevated temperaturesand radiation doses on void size; the commonality of radiation aging onavailable insulation and jacketing materials.

Analogous to the above-described brittle fracture theory, severalmechanisms exist to explain initiation of electrical "treeing" in soliddielectrics. Each mechanism requires a high stress to provide the energyneeded to activate the damage mechanism. These mechanisms includethermal decomposition (resulting from insulation service temperatures),mechanically-induced internal residual stresses, breakdown resultingfrom charge accumulation at void sites (analogous to mechanical creep)and the presence of small voids or flaws inside the dielectric. Eventhough these additional mechanisms exist, a proper correlation appearsto exist between brittle fracture propagation in carbon steel andelectrical treeing in solid dielectric material.

At least the following conclusions have been reached concerning thepresence of voids in conductor insulation systems: (1) all commonly usedelectrical insulation material, regardless of age, material type andmanufacturer, were found to contain voids of surprisingly uniform,measurable microscopic size and density; (2) naturally-aged cableinsulation was found to have significantly greater void sizes anddensity as compared to new insulation of the same material type; and (3)at least one practical, in-situ, non-destructive testing method (15-50MHz acoustical microscopy) was identified as being capable of detectingand measuring relevant void sizes and density.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a conductor insulationsystem 10 having one or more conductors 12 surrounded by a suitableconductor insulation material 14. To protect the conductor insulationmaterial 14 from the environment, a cable jacket 16 of suitably durableand insulative material is dispersed around.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conductor insulation material 14 includes anumber of voids 18 therein. As discussed above, electrical dischargesmay occur in the voids 18, which may ultimately result in cablemalfunction or failure. Further, the voids 18 may cause electrical treesto appear and grow in the insulation material 14, which can also lead tothe rapid breakdown of the conductor insulation system 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, eight (8) cable samples were tested to detect andmeasure cable insulation voids as small as 2.5 μm (0.0001 inch) indiameter, with a density equal to or less than 2 voids per cm³(approximately 30 voids per cubic inch).

Samples 1 through 5 consisted of old cables recovered from a powerplant. As shown in FIG. 2, these samples had the followingcharacteristics: (1) polyethylene (XLPE) and ethylene propylene (EPR)insulation; (2) different manufacturers; (3) medium and low-voltageratings; (4) effects related to pre-operational use; and (5) effectsrelated to natural aging of up to 23 years.

Samples 5 through 8 consisted of new cables provided by Rockbestos CableManufacturing Company. These samples included low voltage-rated cableshaving polyethylene (XLPE), ethylene propylene (EPR) and silicone rubberinsulation.

The objectives of the tests were two-fold: (1) to verify that voidsexist within all conductor insulation material; and (2) to ascertainvoid size and the level of void uniformity.

Each of the testing methods, including the experimental results derivedfrom the use thereof, is described below.

Ultrasound Testing

Ultrasound waves consist of vibrational waves that are transmitted at afrequency higher than the hearing range of the normal human ear, whichis typically 20,000 cycles per second (cps) or 20 KHz.

Ultrasound waves travel with ease in uniform solids and low viscosityliquids, but are quickly attenuated by voids or gas pockets. Theultrasound frequency for small flaw or void detection may be set in therange of 1 to 10 MHz.

Essentially, ultrasound testing relies on the attenuation of soundwaves. However, excessive ultrasound attenuation in some materials canseverely limit the use of ultrasound as a detection method whensearching for small flaws or voids. The major causes of ultrasoundattenuation include scattering, absorption (i.e., thermoplasticdamping), and diffraction.

An electro-mechanical transducer, such as a piezoelectric crystal, maybe used to generate ultrasound waves for flaw detection.

Significantly, ultrasound waves have the following characteristics: (1)they travel long distances in solid materials; (2) they travel inwell-defined sonic beams; (3) their velocity is constant in homogeneousmaterials; (4) the energy from the first wave train is dissipated beforethe next train is introduced; (5) they are reflected at interfaces whereelastic and physical properties change and are also refracted whenelastic properties change; and (6) they may change their mode ofvibration or be subject to mode conversion at material interfaces.

The relationship between frequency, wavelength, and wave velocity of thematerial is given by the following equation:

    C=λ×f                                         [Eq. 3]

where:

C=velocity (cm/s)

λ=wavelength (cm)

f=frequency (cps)

From equation (3), it can be appreciated that velocity varies directlywith wavelength and frequency, but wavelength and frequency varyinversely with each other. Velocity is the speed at which ultrasonicvibrations pass through a material, and it is dependent on the elasticproperties of the material and the mode of vibration. Thus, theelasticity and density of a material determines its sound velocity.

Ultrasound testing is widely used by industry for quality control andequipment integrity studies. Uses for ultrasound testing include flawdetection and wall thickness testing of pipes and pressure vessels.

Conventional ultrasound techniques are normally used to detect voids inmetallic and composite materials. The ultrasonic energy travels into thetest material from the outer surface thereof via a coupling medium. Bydetermining the amount of ultrasonic energy that is transmitted throughthe test material, the condition of the test material (i.e., thequantity of voids therein) may be assessed.

Conventional ultrasound testing techniques may be limited by a number offactors, including the attenuation characteristics of certain materials,and the difficulty in gaining access to the insulation systems to betested. Modern imaging methods, such as acoustical holography, have notovercome these limitations. However, by using information conveyed bythe phase and amplitude of ultrasonic waves, the imaging method canallow cross-sectional and three-dimensional imaging of voids inthree-dimensional objects.

Flaws in pipes and vessels are detected using an ultrasonic transducer,which generates sound wave trains. If flaws are present in the metal,acoustic mismatch occurs and some of the ultrasonic energy is reflectedback to the transducer. These reflected sound waves are converted toelectrical pulses within the transducer. The distance of the void orflaw from the surface can then be estimated using the relationship ofthe pulse amplitude.

Various cable samples were tested for voids using convention ultrasoundtechniques. The following discussion summarizes the experimentalprocedures and results of the conventional ultrasound examinations.

Test 1

The samples were tested by means of a pulse echo testing system, whichis similar to conventional ultrasound testing. The cable samples wereplaced in a "V" notched fixture and immersed in water. The transducerwas then aligned radially to the cable. The instrument gain wasadjusted. The steps were repeated for different transducers and cabletypes.

As shown in FIG. 3, the y-direction corresponds to the acousticamplitude and the x-direction corresponds to the time (μ sec). Samples1, 2, and 3 fall into a category represented by FIG. 3, Waveform #1,which is an oscilloscope display made with a 2.25 MHz transducer.

The first large interface echo on the left, identified as Reflection No.1 (between approximately 0.2 and 2.25 μs), is the sound reflection fromthe secondary echo received at surface entry (outside diameter) of thecable jacket. The next large signal, identified as Reflection No. 2(between approximately 8 and 10 μs), is the sound reflection from thesecondary echo received at the metal interface between the conductor andconductor insulation.

The thick parallel (horizontal) black lines between approximately 4 and8 μs illustrate the gated interval. The gated interval represents thethickness of the conductor insulation. Reflections within this intervalrepresent material discontinuities or voids inside the insulationmaterial. The amplitude of the reflection characterizes the size of thevoid. The estimated void size using this waveform is somewhere between0.020" and 0.040".

FIG. 3, Waveform #2, represents an oscilloscope display obtained with a10 MHz transducer for Samples 4 and 5. Similar to the previousexplanation, the first large interface echo on the left, identified asReflection No. 1 (between approximately 0.75 and 2 μs), is the soundreflection from the secondary echo received at surface entry (outsidediameter) of the cable jacket. The next large signal, identified asReflection No. 2 (between approximately 7 and 9 μs), is the soundreflection from the secondary echo received at the metal interface,between the conductor and conductor insulation.

The thick parallel (horizontal) black lines between approximately 2 and6.75 μs illustrate the gated interval. This interval represents thethickness of the conductor insulation, whereby any reflections withinthis interval represent material discontinuities or voids. As before,the amplitude of the reflection characterizes the size of the void. Ascan be seen, the amplitude of reflections are very small, making itdifficult to assess the plot for a minimum detectable void size. Atbest, this plot shows that sound waves at 10 MHz have the requiredenergy to penetrate through the outside cable jacket material andpropagate through the conductor insulation material.

Samples 6 through 8 were not tested with the above technique for variousreasons, which are explained below. Sample 6 was not inspected with thistechnique because of its irregular, asymmetrical interior. Sample 7 wasnot inspected because of the fabric coating surrounding he insulationmaterial. Sample 8 had a two-layer jacket, with the layers not appearingto be consistently bonded to one another. Because the inconsistentbonding would most likely distort the results of the testing on theinsulation material thereunder, Sample 8 was not tested.

Test 2

The samples were tested by a newly-developed, real-time softwareapplication called the FlexSCAN System, which was developed by Sonix,Inc. The FlexSCAN System was derived from the older C-scan ultrasoundsystem and developed into an imaging system software.

The cable samples were immersed in a water bath. The transducer was thenmoved over the particular sample to maximize reflection from its outsidediameter. The transducer was then disposed at the optimum workingdistance from the sample. The instrument gain was adjusted as requiredto raise inside diameter reflection to 80% screen (i.e., to optimize theviewing axes on the monitor). The "time of flight" of the reflection wasthen measured. The above steps were repeated for different frequencytransducers on jacket and insulation areas.

As shown in FIG. 4, the y-direction corresponds to the acousticamplitude and the x-direction corresponds to the time (μ sec). The blackand white plot of FIG. 4 shows an oscilloscope display of the ultrasonicsignal of Sample 3 using a 10 MHz transducer.

The first large signal on the left, identified as Reflection No. 1 (at≈10.75 μs), is the sound reflection from the entry surface (outsidediameter) of the cable jacket. The next signal, identified as ReflectionNo. 2 (at ≈11.5 μs), is the reflection from the jacket to the insulationinterface. The last signal, identified as Reflection No. 3 (at ≈16.25μs), is the reflection from the insulation to the conductor interface.

The signal reflection between approximately 11.75 and 16 μs is thesection that displays the wave propagation through the conductorinsulation material. Therefore, this section will show signalreflections from material discontinuities such as voids where there is amismatch of acoustic properties.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, it was difficult to assess the plot for voidswithin the insulation material. At best, this plot shows that soundwaves at 10 MHz have the required energy to penetrate through theoutside cable jacket material and propagate through the conductorinsulation material.

Acoustical Microscopy

The essential component in acoustical microscopy is the transducer. Aswith conventional ultrasound testing, acoustical microscopy requires acoupling medium--usually water--to transfer the focused acoustic wavefrom the transducer to the specimen being examined.

Acoustical microscopy is a general term applied to high-resolution,high-frequency ultrasonic testing techniques that produce images offeatures beneath the surface of a test specimen. Because ultrasonicenergy requires continuity to propagate, discontinuities such as voidscan interfere with transmission or reflection of ultrasound signals.This makes it possible to reveal voids within a material medium.

Because an acoustic microscope operates at very high frequencies, it ispossible to achieve resolution comparable to that of a conventionaloptical microscope. The acoustic microscope has also been found to becompatible with most polymers. This is important, because compatibilityof a material is limited by ultrasound attenuation caused by scattering,absorption, or internal reflection.

As stated earlier, conventional ultrasound techniques operate up to 10MHz. Acoustic microscopes operate up to and beyond 1 GHz, where thewavelength is very short and the resolution correspondingly high.Because the frequency of an acoustic wave is proportional to theresolution of a defect but inversely proportional to the depth ofpenetration, acoustical microscopy has a distinct advantage overconventional ultrasound testing. For example, a low-frequency ultrasoundtransducer will permit deep penetration of the acoustic wave at theexpense of the resolution; a high-frequency acoustical transducer,conversely, will resolve smaller defects at lesser depths in thematerial.

At first, it was believed that the highest frequencies would dominateacoustic microscopy applications. However, because of the highattenuation of materials, the frequency range from 10 to 100 MHz is mostextensively used.

There are presently three types of acoustic microscopes: ScanningAcoustic Microscope (SAM), C-mode Scanning Acoustic Microscope (C-SAM),and Scanning Laser Acoustic Microscope (SLAM). Each of these apparatuseshas a specific range of applications.

SAM is primarily a reflection microscope that generates veryhigh-resolution images of the surface and near-surface of the testobject. The frequency operating range is between 100 MHz to 2 GHz.Penetration depth is limited.

SLAM creates real-time images of a test object throughout its entirethickness. The depth of penetration is limited by the acousticattenuation characteristics of the material. The frequency operatingrange is between 10 to 500 MHz.

C-SAM is primarily a pulse echo (reflection) microscope. The transduceralternately acts as a transmitter and a receiver that generates imagesby mechanically scanning the transducer in a raster pattern over thetest object. C-SAM is an ideal method for investigating internal imagesat specific depths, and was chosen for the acoustical microscopyexamination. The frequency operating range is between 10 to 100 MHz.

C-SAM analysis uses a single-focused acoustic lens to mechanicallyraster scan a tiny "dot" of ultrasound over the sample. As ultrasound isintroduced (pulsed) into the sample, a reflection (echo) is generated ateach subsequent interface and returned to the transmitting transducerfor processing. High-speed digital signal processing allows informationto be gathered from multiple levels within the sample being examined.Internal images can be generated for specific depths, cross-sections, orfor the entire thickness of the test sample. A diagram of the C-SAMoperating system and components are shown in FIG. 5.

By using the C-SAM apparatus with an integral digital analyzer, voids assmall as 100 microns in size could be detected and measured. Because theC-SAM technique requires that cross-hairs be placed on the outside edgesof a void, the size of void that can be measured is necessarily limitedby the size of the cross-hairs.

A C-SAM Series D6000 acoustic microscope was used to examine insulationSamples 3, 5 and 8 for voids.

Test Sample 5

Sample 5 (unaltered) was examined to determine the level of voidresolution resulting from penetration through an entire cable assembly.The following describes the procedure for this examination.

Cable Sample 5 was secured to a testing plate and immersed in a bath ofwater. A 15 MHz transducer was attached to the microscope. The front endgain was set. Sound level was focused at the top of the sample bymechanically moving the transducer up and down to maximize the soundwave amplitude generated by the transducer. The scan was then performed.An electronic gate was established by viewing the oscilloscope A-scandisplay (waveform plot) and selecting a gate between the reflectionwaveform at the jacket interface and the reflection waveform at theconductor interface. (The selected gate interval determines the area tobe examined.) An acoustic image of the sample was observed on the CRT.The front-end gain was adjusted and the scan repeated until themagnification was optimized for imaging voids.

FIG. 6 shows the acoustic image of Sample 5 (ethylene propylene rubber)at 15 MHz, where the entire cable sample was immersed in a bath ofwater. The bright spots in this figure illustrate internal images ofvoids from sound waves at 15 MHz, penetrating the cable jacket andreflecting from the outer boundaries.

Test Samples 3 and 8

Thin wafers of Samples 3 and 8, cut with a razor blade, were providedfor examination. These specimens measured approximately 1/4-inch wide by1/2-inch long by 1/8-inch thick. The following procedure was used forthis examination.

The wafers of Samples 3 and 8 were secured approximately one-inch aparton a testing plate with tape and immersed in a bath of water. A 50 MHztransducer was attached to the microscope. The front-end gain was set.Sound level was focused at the top of one of the samples by mechanicallymoving the transducer up and down to maximize the sound wave amplitudegenerated by the transducer. The scan was performed. An electronic gatewas established by viewing the oscilloscope A-scan display (waveformplot) and selecting a gate between the reflection waveform at thetop-surface interface and the reflection waveform at the bottom-surfaceinterface. (The selected gate interval determines the area to beexamined.) An acoustic image of the sample was observed on the CRT. Theabove steps were repeated for Samples 3 and 8.

The bright spherical spots shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (FIG. 8 is a magnifiedversion of FIG. 7) correspond to the reflection of sound waves fromvoids in Sample 3. Because penetration of the cable jacket was not aconcern for Sample 3, a higher frequency transducer could be used. Thehigh-frequency transducer provided a higher resolving power and a moredistinct image.

An acoustic image from the cross-section specimen of Sample 8, takenwith a 50 MHz transducer, is shown in FIG. 9. The white speckles in FIG.9 represent voids in the insulation material.

The bright spherical-shaped spots of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are classified asvoids because they correspond to high amplitude reflections from theinterface of a high-acoustic impedance material from inside the void orimpurity pocket, such as a gaseous cavity, air bubble, or other voidtype. Differences in acoustic impedance between air or gas and a solidmaterial cause most of the ultrasonic energy to be reflected at thesurface boundary of a gaseous cavity, air bubble, or void.

The bright spots are reflections of higher signal levels from theinterface of voids. These spots have a lighter feature because the soundwaves are reflected back to the transducer at a faster rate. This is dueto the different optical properties between the void and solidinsulating material. The bright acoustical images are thereforereflected energy signals formed in the pattern of the void.

The dark features around the void images represent waves passing throughthe insulation material. As the waves travel through the insulation,part of the energy is absorbed because of the attenuation behavior orthe progressive decrease in vibrational energy through the material. Theremaining vibrational energy received by the transducer is then severaltimes smaller in magnitude than the energy level transmitted by thetransducer.

An important material parameter affecting the transmission andreflection of ultrasonic energy is the acoustic impedance (Z). Acousticimpedance is a product of material density and sound velocity throughthe material:

    Z=ρC (gcm.sup.-2 s.sup.-1)                             [Eq. 4]

where:

ρ=density (g/cm³)

C=velocity (cm/s)

The acoustic impedance can be calculated for polyethylene (PE) and forethylene propylene rubber (EPR) using the values of density and velocityof sound from the Chemical Rubber Publishing Company (CRC Handbook),Page E44.

If:

ρ.sub.(PE) =0.90 g/cm³

C.sub.(PE) =1,950 cm/s

ρ.sub.(EPR) =1.07 g/cm³

C.sub.(EPR) =1,830 cm/s

Then:

    Z.sub.(PE) =(0.90) (1,950)≈1.8 kgcm.sup.-2 s.sup.-1[Eq. 5]

    Z.sub.(EPR) =(1.07) (1,830)≈2 kgcm.sup.-2 s.sup.-1 [Eq. 6]

From the above calculations, PE is shown to have a lower acousticimpedance than EPR. Thus, PE provides a higher level of wavetransmission through the material. Consequently, void images are betterdefined in PE than in EPR. The low acoustic impedance of a polymerenables more acoustic waves to be transmitted though the surface intothe material, making internal imaging easier.

A description of each of FIGS. 6-9 is presented below:

FIG. 6

The multitude of bright spots are identified as voids. This is areflection image of an entire cable (Sample 5 (unprepared)), immersed ina bath of water. A low-frequency transducer was used to allowpenetration of sound waves through the material, resulting in alow-image resolution of the air pockets or voids.

FIG. 7

An estimated 120 spherically-shaped bright spots or voids are identifiedover a 0.8 cm³ volume, which equates to a density of approximately 140voids/cm³. This image represents a lateral cross-sectional cut of Sample3. The parallel lines are razor blade markings. Using the digitalanalyzer, void size was estimated to be at least 100 microns.

FIG. 8

An estimated 100 spherical-shaped bright spots or voids are identifiedover a 3.2 cm³ volume, which equates to a density of about 30 voids/cm³.This Figure is a magnified version of FIG. 7, captured by selecting ahigher gate and adjusting the transducer positioning and system gain.Using the digital analyzer, the smallest void size was estimated to beless than 100 microns; the largest void was estimated to be 250 microns.

FIG. 9

The white speckles are voids. Verification was performed using anelectron microscope.

Optical Microscopy

The optical microscope used for the tests was an Inverted MetallurgicalMicroscope (IMM), which is essentially a complex light microscope. Theunique feature of the IMM is that the light source is projected from thebottom of the specimen, allowing the image to be observed in an erectedand unreversed form.

The IMM focuses on one plane only, thereby showing a ring around thefocused area. Any plane higher or lower than the focused plane is out offocus, producing blurry areas outside the ring area of the image.Consequently, FIGS. 10 through 15 are slightly blurred around theoutside edges.

The light source projects a plane of light that intercepts the specimenalong the plane that is in focus. This produces a focused,well-illuminated image of a specimen.

Instruments like the IMM can focus up to a magnification of about 1000×.Because of distortion and fuzziness, however, the IMM and similarinstruments are commonly operated at magnifications of about 500×.

An Olympus Model PME-33 Inverted Metallurgical Microscope was used toexamine the insulation samples. The IMM was also equipped with a largeformat and a 35 mm camera for taking pictures of the samples. The voidsdetected by the IMM were measured to be approximately two to fivemicrons in diameter. Additionally, cross-section cuts, using a razorblade, appeared to contain voids of approximately the same size as thosefound in freeze fractures (i.e., where liquid nitrogen has been used tofacilitate fracturing along crystalline pathways).

Samples 1, 3, and 8 were chosen for testing by the IMM. The followingsummarizes the experimental procedure used to prepare and examine cableSamples 1, 3, and 8.

For cable Samples 1 and 3, approximately 1 by 1.5-inch samples werefirst removed from the cable using a hack-saw. For cable Sample 8, a setof shears was used to remove the 1 by 1.5-inch section. A small groovewas then cut with a razor blade on one side of the cable parallel to theaxis thereof.

The specimens were quenched to 77 K in a bath of liquid nitrogen untilequilibrium was attained--approximately 10 minutes. The specimens wereplaced in a plastic bag with a razor blade inserted into thepreviously-cut groove. The razor blade was then struck lightly with ahammer to fracture the specimen into two pieces. Fracture surfaces werethen allowed to reach room temperature prior to microscopy.

Thin sections were also prepared by cross-sectioning the specimens witha razor blade to approximately 0.5-1 mm thick.

Sample 1 was polished to a 0.5 μm surface finish. However, it was thenimpossible to see any surface features because the polyethylene smearedand debris gathered in possible void sites. Consequently, the Sampleswere not polished for the examinations.

For testing, to obtain a uniform focal length, fracture surfaces werechosen that had fairly flat surface features. The fracture surfaces werecleaned of debris and condensation using compressed air.

The Samples were placed on the microscope so that only the edges of thefracture surface contacted the edges of the specimen stage. The entirefracture surface was scanned at 50× and 100× to determine the featureson which to focus. Photographs were taken at magnification level of 200×and 500×.

Higher magnification photographs were not taken because the focal lengthof an optical microscope is too short to allow surfaces with non-uniformheights to come into focus. Suspected voids were identified by acombination of shape and focal length using various degrees of polarizedlight in the optical microscope.

Six photographs of the Samples are provided as FIGS. 10-15. Numerousvoids are shown to be present in the insulation materials of theSamples. Each of FIGS. 10-15 is described below:

FIG. 10

There are an estimated 50 voids, identified over a 0.1 cm³ volume, whichequates to a density of approximately 500 voids/cm³. The parallel linesare razor blade markings. The scale shown (closer to the left edge) isone centimeter. It is estimated that the smallest void is about 5microns and the largest is about 10 microns.

FIG. 11

There are an estimated 30 voids, identified over a 0.03 cm³ volume.Correspondingly, this equates to a density of about 1000 voids/cm³. FIG.11 illustrates a freeze fracture surface of a lateral cross-sectionalcut. The scale shown (at the left edge) is one centimeter. It isestimated that the smallest void is about 2 microns and the largest isabout 4 microns.

FIG. 12

Estimates indicate that there are about 10 spherical-shaped voidsidentified over a 0.1 cm³ volume, which equates to a density ofapproximately 100 voids/cm³. FIG. 12 represents a lateralcross-sectional cut with a razor blade. The parallel lines shown in FIG.12 are razor blade markings. With a scale of one centimeter, it isestimated that the smallest void is about 5 microns and the largest isabout 15 microns.

FIG. 13

There are an estimated 50 spherical voids, identified over a 0.1 cm³volume, which equates to a density of approximately 500 voids/cm³. FIG.13 depicts a freeze fracture-surface of a lateral cross-sectional cut.With a scale of 11/2 cm, it is estimated that the smallest void is about4 microns and the largest is about 8 microns.

FIG. 14

There are an estimated 45 voids, identified over a 0.2 cm³ volume, whichequates to a density of approximately 225 voids/cm³. FIG. 14 illustratesa lateral cross-sectional cut with a razor blade. The parallel linesshown in FIG. 14 are razor blade markings. With the 11/2 cm scale shown,it is estimated that the smallest void is about 5 microns and thelargest is about 20 microns.

FIG. 15

There are an estimated 25 voids, identified over a 0.1 cm³ volume, whichequates to a density of approximately 250 voids /cm³. FIG. 15 representsa freeze fracture surface of a lateral cross-sectional cut. With thescale of 11/2 cm, it is estimated that the smallest void is about 2microns and the largest is about 8 microns.

Scanning Electron Microscopy

The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) uses an electron beam that movesover the specimen surface in a series of parallel lines. Simultaneously,a point of light on a television-like screen moves in the same pattern.The SEM views only a small portion of the specimen's surface at a time.The final image is a composite of the pictures of the many smallsections individually viewed in turn. The specimen surface is subdividedinto small squares; the length of each square is equal to the limit ofinstrument resolution.

Each of the specimen squares is bombarded in turn by an electron probe,the cross-sectional area of which is approximately equal to the area ofeach square. Wherever the probe strikes the specimen, secondaryelectrons are emitted. The number of emitted secondary electrons isdetermined primarily by the chemical nature of the specimen's surfacestructure.

Photograph resolution and quality are determined by the number ofsecondary electrons that reflect from each point of the sample. Forexample, the picture will be bright where many electrons are reflectedfrom the specimen; the picture will be less bright where only a smallnumber of electrons are reflected.

Image formation in a SEM differs from that in an optical microscope. Ina SEM, the image is formed on a cathode ray tube after information isconverted from the specimen surface into a train of electrical signals.The SEM thus displays an image which is similar to one that views anobject in light. This allows surface contours of little craters andimpressions to be revealed.

An Hitachi S-800 Scanning Electron Microscope was used to study fracturesurfaces of Samples 1, 6, and 8. The SEM analysis was successful indetecting, imaging, and measuring voids as small as 0.4 micron.Photographs of the Samples were taken with Polaroid Type 55 black andwhite professional film at magnification levels as high as 12000×.Generally, however, the photographs were taken at lower magnificationlevels of less than 2000×.

The Samples were tracked using a six-digit code (e.g., 080205), which isplaced on the photograph's lower left corner. The following provides adescription of the code:

For example, if the code is 080205, then:

08 is the sample number;

02 refers to either lateral or longitudinal cross-section where:

01--refers to lateral cross-section normal to the axial direction of thecable, and

02--refers to the longitudinal cross-section parallel to the axialdirection of the cable; and

05 is the sequential picture number taken for that sample.

The code on the right lower corner of the photographs indicates themagnification level (e.g., X500 means 500×). The number next to themagnification level provides the scale (e.g., 60 μm means 60 microns)for the line of periods above it. The length of the scale is 32 mm.

The notation between the six-number code and the magnification levelrefers to the operating voltage (e.g., 2 kV means that the operatingvoltage was at 2 kilovolts).

Because the SEM has much higher resolution capability than the opticalmicroscope, Samples 1, 6, and 8 were selected for the SEM examination.This sample collection consisted of one sample each of aged and newpolyethylene and one sample of new ethylene propylene rubber.

The following discussion summarizes the procedures used for samplepreparation, microscopic examination, and scanning.

Direct observation with the SEM requires that the specimens be coatedwith a thick layer of conductive material (such as gold) and that lowvoltages be used to reduce specimen charging. The SEM tests usedfreeze-fracture techniques (similar to that of the optical examination)to form the specimen surfaces of Samples 1, 6, and 8.

The freeze-fracture specimens were prepared using a procedure similar tothat described above. The Samples were then trimmed of excess materialuntil the fracture surface thickness was approximately 2-4 mm. AnHitachi 10 mm SEM stub was placed in a beaker of acetone, cleaned in anultrasonicator for 10 minutes, and then air-dried.

Using a pair of latex gloves, a piece of carbon tape was placed on theSEM stub and the backing removed. Using a pair of forceps, the fracturesurface was carefully placed upon the carbon tape, affixing it inposition. Carbon paste was painted on the edges of the fracture surfaceto provide conduction. The Samples were placed in a vacuum chamber fortwo days to remove any excess gases.

The Samples were placed in a sputter deposition system for one minute ata potential of 8V with a current of 10 milliamperes to coat the surfacewith approximately 100 Å of Au--Pd (Gold-Platinum).

The SEM was operated at a voltage of 2 kV and at a working distance of 5mm from the Samples. The apertures were adjusted from 15 mm to 5 mm toensure proper alignment and the stigmators were adjusted at 20000× toensure proper resolution. Subsequently, the focus was adjusted as highas 20000×.

The Samples' surfaces were scanned at the lowest magnification (70×) tofind interesting surfaces to magnify. Generally, the highest scan ratewas used (TV scan), but scan rates were varied to enhance surfacefeatures and to remove noise from the images. Fracture surfaces weremagnified as high as 15000× to enhance the surface features. Inaddition, some degree of sample tilt relative to the viewing lens wasused to enhance the surface features.

Voids were identified in Samples 1, 6, and 8. The samples were scannedunder different magnifications to enhance the surface features whenspherical cavities or voids were located. The hollow openings of thevoids were clearly seen and could be measured using a micron scaleembodied within the picture.

The results of the SEM examination prove that spherical-shaped voidsexist inside conductor insulation material. Voids as small as 0.3 micronand as large as 12 micron exist, and there is a certain density (thepattern of voids are consistent) within the material.

For example, FIGS. 16 and 17 show entire spherical, contour-shapedcavities grouped in a pattern in two different areas of Sample 1. FIG.18 shows entire spherical-shaped cavities grouped in a pattern in Sample6. FIGS. 19 and 20 show much smaller cavities in a grouped pattern inSample 8. The fact that void size is smaller in the new cable insulatorsupports the theory that void size increases with age. However, otherpossible causes of smaller void sizes include improved manufacturingprocesses and addition of fillers in the insulation material.

Each of FIGS. 16-20 is described below.

FIG. 16

An estimated 33 spherical voids are identified over a 0.05 cm³ volume,which corresponds to a density of about 660 voids/cm³. FIG. 16represents a longitudinal cross-sectional cut. The top portion issmoother since it is cut with a razor blade. The bottom portion is afreeze-fracture. The scale at the lower right of the micrograph is 30μm. The smallest void identified is about 0.5 micron, while the largestvoid is estimated to be 12 microns.

FIG. 17

An estimated 9 spherical voids are identified over a 0.03 cm³ volume,which corresponds to a density of about 300 voids/cm³. FIG. 17 depicts afreeze-fracture surface of a longitudinal cross-sectional cut. Thecircular anomalies inside the voids were examined with a high (i.e.,15000×) magnification. Nothing internally was revealed in the void. Witha scale of 10 μm, the smallest void identified is about 2 microns; thelargest void is estimated to be 4.5 microns.

FIG. 18

An estimated 12 spherical voids are identified over a 0.004 cm³ volume,which relates to a density of approximately 3000 voids/cm³. FIG. 18illustrates a freeze-fracture surface of a lateral cross-sectional cut.The smallest void identified with a scale of 2.5 μm is about 0.3 micron.The largest void is estimated to be 0.5 micron.

FIG. 19

An estimated 35 spherical voids are identified over a 0.05 cm³ volume,which relates to a density of about 700 voids/cm³. FIG. 19 depicts afreeze-fracture surface of a longitudinal cross-sectional cut. Thepellet-shaped items in FIGS. 19 and 20 are filler materials. Discussionswith Rockbestos, the manufacturer of the cable Samples tested, revealedthat Rockbestos uses a Translink-37 surface-treated clay in its cable toimprove the bonding of the polymer chains, thereby increasing cablestrength. At a micrograph scale of 30 μm, the smallest void identifiedis about 2.5 microns. The largest void is estimated to be 6.5 microns.

FIG. 20

An estimated 20 spherical voids are identified over a 0.02 cm³ volume,which relates to a density of about 1000 voids/cm³. FIG. 20 is a highermagnification of FIG. 19. Thus, the voids and filler material asdescribed above can be seen more clearly in FIG. 20. The scale at thelower right is 15 μm. The smallest void identified is about 1.5 microns.The largest void is estimated to be 3.0 microns.

As related above, various testing techniques were conducted to determinewhich could detect and measure micron-size voids inside conductorinsulation material. Two nondestructive techniques (conventionalultrasound and acoustical microscopy) were evaluated, along with twodestructive techniques (optical microscopy and scanning electronmicroscopy).

Preferably, acoustical microscopy may be used for detecting andmeasuring micron-size voids within insulation material. This method usesan acoustic micro-imaging (reflection) technique that is sensitive tomaterial discontinuities in the micron range.

Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis confirmedthe following: (1) voids exist within conductor insulation material; (2)micron-size voids can be detected; and (3) a definite formation of voids(absolute density) exists.

While optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were able todetect and measure micron-sized voids, it may not be practical to usethese methods in industrial settings.

The various test results for examining the Samples of polyethylene (PE)and ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) are presented in FIG. 21.

FIG. 22 illustrates a void detection and analysis system 100. As shown,electric insulation void size and density information is detected bymeans of optical, electron, or acoustic microscopy 102.Processor/Converter 104 converts the analog output of the detector 102to a digital signal that is analyzed and converted to an equivalentinsulation medium of uniform void size and density (dispersion ratethroughout the insulation medium). The term "equivalent" may be definedas the susceptibility for production of an electrical partial dischargepath across the electrical insulation medium under design voltageconditions. The equivalent void size and density configuration isprovided as one input to the comparison analyzer 106. An analog outputsignal representative of this "equivalent configuration" could be madeavailable for display on device 108, which may be a CRT display.

Using void characteristics and partial discharge failure predictiontechniques, relationships between service temperature and limiting voidsize and density to cause failure for various insulation materials(input at 112) are provided to the comparison analyzer 106. Desiredfuture service temperature and design voltage conditions are input at110. Inputs from 104 and 112 are used to determine remaining life byfirst determining the margin between actual equivalent voidconfiguration and the limiting (impending failure) configuration, andthen calculating void growth rate (which is a function of temperatureand material type).

The output from 106 is a numerical or temperature dependent signal, suchthat either remaining life for a given temperature or a graph ofremaining life versus temperature can be displayed on 108.

The switch 114 allows display 108 to display either "raw" (unprocessed)reflected signals representative of the actual void configuration withinthe insulation medium or the equivalent void configuration fromprocessor/converter 104 (which allows simpler analysis).

The upper portion of the display 108 may be used to show an image of theinsulation material's void configuration (processed or unprocessed), andthe lower portion may be used to display the remaining life result (fora specified temperature or as a function of temperature).

FIG. 23 illustrates a void detection and analysis system 200 usingacoustic microscopy. As shown, void size and density is detected bytransducer 202. A controller 202b inputs to the signal transmitter 202athe control setting of desired insulation depth window to be viewed andanalyzed. The signal transmitter 202a sends electrical signals of therequired frequency and pulse shape/width to satisfy the control settingto the transducer 202. The transducer 202 converts the electricalsignals from the signal transmitter 202a to acoustic signals, andconverts reflected acoustic signals to electrical signals. The reflectedsignals are then sent by the transducer 202 to theamplifier/discriminator 202c. The amplifier 202c boosts the receivedsignals and screens them to minimize noise and optimize the desiredsignal characteristics (for example, the amplifier/discriminator 202cdiscriminates the signals to view only the reflections indicative of thecontrol setting depth range that correspond to a window of reflectedtime for each transmitted pulse). The amplifier 202c may output a signalof an image representative of actual void sizes and dispersion withinthe insulation material for display on device 208.

Processor/Converter 204 converts the analog output of the amplifier 202cto a digital signal that is analyzed and converted to an equivalentinsulation medium of uniform void size and density (dispersion ratethroughout the insulation medium). The equivalent void size and densityconfiguration is provided as one input to the comparison analyzer 206.An analog output signal representative of this "equivalentconfiguration" could be made available for display on device 208, whichmay be a CRT display.

Using void characteristics and partial discharge failure predictiontechniques, relationships between service temperature and limiting voidsize and density to cause failure for various insulation materials(input at 212) are provided to the comparison analyzer 206. Desiredfuture service temperature and design voltage conditions are input at210. Inputs from 204 and 212 are used to determine remaining life byfirst determining the margin between actual equivalent voidconfiguration and the limiting (impending failure) configuration, andthen calculating void growth rate (which is a function of temperatureand material type).

The output from 206 is a numerical or temperature dependent signal, suchthat either remaining life for a given temperature or a graph ofremaining life versus temperature can be displayed on 208.

The switch 214 allows display 208 to display either "raw" (unprocessed)reflected signals representative of the actual void configuration withinthe insulation medium or the equivalent void configuration fromprocessor/converter 204 (which allows simpler analysis).

The upper portion of the display 208 may be used to show an image of theinsulation material's void configuration (processed or unprocessed), andthe lower portion may be used to display the remaining life result (fora specified temperature or as a function of temperature).

The cable industry has made many advances over the years in cablemanufacturing. However, even with advancements, micron-size voids stillremain or will be created through the normal aging process withinconductor insulation systems. Because cable failures will eventuallyresult from void size and density growth over time, it is important tomonitor such loss of insulation integrity margin which can eventuallyresult in partial discharge failure. Detection can be accomplished fromtechniques described in application Ser. No. 08/762,536 (such as throughacoustical microscopy, which is capable of furnishing internal imagesthat allow void size and formation to be viewed and evaluated).

As a result of the tests conducted in support of application Ser. No.08/762,536, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) micron-size voidsexist and can be detected within the insulation system of new and agedcable; (2) void density was found to be consistent or relativelyuniform; and (3) acoustical microscopy is the preferred method fordetecting and generating internal images of micron-size voids within aconductor insulation system, and it can feasibly be used for fieldtesting.

The present invention of predicting remaining life of conductorinsulation systems applies to low, medium and high voltage cables. Themethod is used to predict the degree of aging and remaining life ofconductor insulation systems based on the measurement of a soliddielectric material's internal void sizes, without it being necessary toknow the beginning of conductor insulation life, method of manufactureor past history of environmental exposure.

Because void size are related to an insulation material's potential forpartial discharge breakdown or excessive leakage currents, they are trueindicators of end of life for conductor insulation. Consequently, thepresent invention provides a more accurate indication of remaining lifethan approaches that rely on mechanical properties, such as hardness andelongation retention (which tend to degrade long before a change inelectrical properties occurs).

The present invention allows owners and operators of power plants andindustrial facilities to insure and improve the operational reliabilitythereof, or otherwise assure that conductor insulation aging concerns donot exist, by performing relatively simple sampling of conductorinsulation systems. For example, the present invention helps to resolvethe cable aging issue associated with present nuclear power plantlicense renewal efforts. Due to the uncertainty in assessing remaininglife and operability of conductor insulation systems, many owners ofnuclear power plants are foregoing license renewal in lieu ofmore-costly new plant construction.

Moreover, the benefits of the present invention are applicable to manyother, non-nuclear industries, including, to name a few, fossil-firedpower plants, electric automobiles, chemical production facilities,manufacturing facilities, ships and aircraft.

As a further example, cable manufacturers would also benefit by use ofthe present invention. By providing cable manufacturers with bettercontrol of their insulation manufacturing processes through periodicbatch sampling of void sizes, the present invention can assure longerinsulation system life and reliability.

It should be appreciated that the present invention may be modified orconfigured as appropriate for the application. The embodiments describedabove are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and notrestrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the followingclaims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which comewithin the literal meaning as well as the range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:
 1. A method of predicting remaining life in insulationmaterial, comprising the following steps: obtaining void size anddensity parameter information for at least one sample of electricinsulation; and analyzing the void parameter information to assess theremaining life of the at least one sample of electric insulation.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the step of analyzing comprises analyzing thesize and density of voids present in the at least one sample ofinsulation material to predict the remaining life thereof.
 3. The methodof claim 1 wherein the at least one sample of the insulation materialcomprises a plurality of samples.
 4. A method of predicting remaininglife of insulation material through use of void parameters therein,comprising the following steps:providing a plurality of samples of aninsulation material; obtaining void parameter information from theplurality of samples of the insulation material; comparing the one ormore void parameters for each of the plurality of samples to determinethe limiting void parameters among the plurality of samples.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, further comprising the step of utilizing thecorrelation between the limiting void parameters for the insulationmaterial and the design or required electric field and insulationthickness for the insulation material to derive a model for predictingthe remaining life of the insulation material as a function of the oneor more void parameters.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the one ormore void parameters are selected from the group consisting of void sizeand void density.